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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Who is in the Glasgow faction challenging Green leadership?
His fellow co-leader, Ms Lorna Slater, has already said she will stand again, and the party's health spokesperson, Ms Gillian Mackay MSP, has also confirmed her leadership bid. Meanwhile, Mr Ross Greer MSP told The Herald last month he is being "encouraged" to enter the race. The contest has yet to officially begin, but tensions are already running high and are expected to escalate further. Two main factions are lining up to battle for control: the Holyrood MSPs and a bloc of activists known internally as the 'Glasgow faction.' Ross Greer says he is being encouraged to stand for the leadership Who's in the Glasgow faction? The so-called Glasgow faction—dismissed by rivals as a 'Militant Tendency tribute act'—is reportedly poised to block a leadership bid by Mr Greer, should he decide to stand, and instead attempt to seize the leadership themselves. Its members argue that Mr Harvie and Mr Greer are out of touch with the party's grassroots and insufficiently radical. They are critical of the Greens' decision to enter the Bute House Agreement with the SNP, which they view as too fiscally conservative and weak on climate policy. Many were particularly opposed to the party's backing of First Minister Humza Yousaf's council tax freeze in 2023, calling it a betrayal of Green principles. Prominent Glasgow activist Niall Christie last month urged Mr Harvie and Mr Greer to step aside in favour of 'radical women,' even if they secured top rankings in the party's regional candidate list process. He named fellow activists Ellie Gomersall, the party's LGBTQIA+ spokesperson, and Iris Duane, Vice President for Student Support at the University of Glasgow, as 'excellent candidates.' Another ally is Seonad Hoy, a Hillhead councillor and social housing advocate who won a by-election in March. Ms Gomersall, Ms Duane and Ms Hoy have been challenging Mr Harvie's top list position for Holyrood 2026. Ellie Gomersall is challenging Patrick Harvie (Image: Ellie Gomersall) 'We are at a monumental crossroads,' Ms Duane told The Herald on Sunday last month. 'This election process is about having that conversation—seeing where we want to take the party and what we want to do in the future.' 'All three of us,' she said, referring to Ms Gomersall and Ms Hoy, 'are working-class and often feel quite discontented by the political class. 'Our message is very clear. We are unashamedly socialist. We are members of an eco-socialist party and we believe that that should be reflected.' Ms Hoy added: 'A change of direction is needed. We've achieved a lot from our current MSP team. But now we need practical change that will impact people's daily lives. 'I think we have a bit of an image problem. We're seen as quite middle-class and establishment. We need to be speaking to people.' The Herald revealed today that Mr Christie has been suspended from the party following multiple complaints submitted to party officials. Sources say the move partly relates to comments Mr Christie made in The Herald, where he called on male leaders to step aside from top positions on the party's regional lists for next year's Holyrood election. The Holyrood 'centrists' Most Herald readers wouldn't consider Green co-leaders Mr Harvie and Ms Slater, or MSPs Mr Greer and Ms Mackay, as political moderates. They have championed higher taxes for the wealthy, new local tax powers, and controversial equality measures including gender self-declaration and a ban on conversion practices. But to their Glasgow-based rivals, they are too middle-of-the-road and too middle-class. The accusation is rejected by the Holyrood group, which views the Glasgow faction as out of touch with the realities of parliamentary politics and the necessity of cooperation—especially with the SNP. 'The central faction of the Scottish Greens are broadly liberals and progressives who want to play nice with the other parties in Holyrood and build consensus,' a well-placed source told The Sunday Times last weekend. 'The Glasgow faction has built what is essentially a party within a party. They've become deeply bitter, paranoid and obsessed with purity. They are essentially communists who see all other parties as their enemies. They utterly despise Mr Greer and will throw everything at him if he runs.' Another insider said: 'What they call centrism is just a lack of pragmatism. On the allegation of centrism—these are the people who passed what were described as the most left-wing budgets ever. We raised taxes again and again on the rich and on landlords. I don't think there's any basis for calling the Holyrood group fiscal centrists.' Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, the party's current co-leaders. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Greens brace for summer leadership race 'civil war'
His fellow co-leader Lorna Slater has already said she will stand again and Gillian Mackay, the party's health spokesperson, has also confirmed her leadership bid. Meanwhile, MSP Ross Greer told The Herald last month he is being 'encouraged" to throw his hat into the ring. The race has yet to begun but judging by the current mood in the party it is promising to be a highly torrid affair. READ MORE: Last weekend, a bloc, known internally as the Glasgow faction, was reported to be primed to block Mr Greer's bid should he confirm he is standing and instead seize the leadership itself. And already major rows over the Scottish Greens' direction have dominated its selection contests for the party's list of Holyrood 2026 candidates. During that process Mr Harvie and Mr Greer were both accused of not being radical enough and for being out of touch with grassroots members. Leading Glasgow activist Niall Christie urged both Mr Harvie and Mr Greer to stand aside for "radical women" even if fellow members gave them top ranking in the race for candidates on the regional lists. Mr Christie named Ellie Gomersall and Iris Duane as "excellent candidates". Perhaps in a sign of the ill-feeling that will be be present in the race to come, prominent members of Mr Greer's rival Holyrood-based central faction on Sunday dismissed the Glasgow faction as the 'militant tendency tribune act'. "The central faction of the Scottish Greens are broadly liberals and progressives who want to play nice with the other parties in Holyrood and consensus build,' one well-placed source told The Sunday Times. "The Glasgow faction has built what is essentially a party within a party. They've become deeply bitter, paranoid and obsessed by purity. They are essentially communists who see all other parties as their enemies. They utterly despise Greer and will throw everything at him if he runs.' It may be a shock to many readers that the Greens are capable of political nastiness and infighting as much as any of the larger political parties. Isn't this the party that is meant to be Scotland's moral conscience, the one which promotes values such as kindness to fellow citizens, compassion for others and protecting our planet and fragile eco-system from harm? "For people, for planet," says its slogan. Indeed to the outside observer, the Scottish Greens have mostly come across in recent years as a pretty united organisation. Apart from the former MSP Andy Wightman's resignation in 2020 when he fell out with party on trans rights and gender self-declaration there have been few high profile internal rows which have spilled into the public domain. But maybe we shouldn't really be surprised that they are poised for a spell of serious strife. The Scottish Green Party is a political party like others, with members forming friendships and allegiances based on personalities, beliefs and rivalry just like their opponents in the larger SNP, Labour and the Conservatives. And with the Scottish Greens showing that they can be highly influential both outside and inside government, the leadership election stakes are high. After all whoever is elected to the two leadership roles is likely to be in positions where they can exert considerable pressure on whichever of the main parties forms the new government after next year's Holyrood elections.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia hopes for collaborative deal following US tariff talks
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes the upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States (US) will result in a new cooperation arrangement, said Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong. MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz is currently in Washington to hold discussions with US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. 'Tengku Zafrul has mentioned last week (that) broadly we hope there will be a collaborative effort in shaping the new arrangement. 'But we will wait for (the outcome of) the negotiations,' Liew told reporters after a panel session on 'Deciphering Malaysia's Investment Cycles' at the Sasana Symposium 2025 hosted by BNM today. It was reported that Tengku Zafrul was scheduled to visit the US today to resume negotiations over tariffs imposed on Malaysian goods and was expected to meet Greer as well as other US government officials and investors. Tengku Zafrul will also take the opportunity to engage with several business chambers, companies and interest groups, including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and the US-ASEAN Business Council. On April 24 this year, Tengku Zafrul led a high-level delegation to Washington, where he held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Greer. Malaysia has expressed its readiness to negotiate in four key areas: narrowing the trade deficit, addressing non-tariff barriers, strengthening technology protection and security, and exploring the potential for a bilateral trade agreement. On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced tariff measures affecting around 60 countries, including a 24 per cent levy on most Malaysian goods. However, the tariffs have been temporarily suspended for 90 days -- until July 8 -- for most countries to allow room for trade negotiations.
The National
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Top Scottish Greens face coordinated challenges for MSP spots
In Glasgow, outgoing party co-leader Patrick Harvie had the top spot on the Greens list in 2021, and Ross Greer held the top spot on the West of Scotland list. Both are facing challenges for the position ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections. The Scottish Greens have historically won all of their MSPs through the regional lists, meaning the top spot is a coveted position for party activists hoping to enter parliament. In the West of Scotland, four Scottish Greens are running on a single slate in a bid to oust Greer from the top of the list. READ MORE: Gillian Martin clashes with BBC Scotland host over Scottish independence Ayrshire Greens co-convenor Cara McKee is asking members to rank her in first position, followed by her allies Athol Bond, Louise Andersen, and Charley O'Hear. In Glasgow, Ellie Gomersall is looking to knock Harvie off the top spot, with local members urged to back Iris Duane in second and Seonad Hoy in third. The three have badged themselves the 'Radical Glasgow Greens' and are running on a single ticket. From left: Seonad Hoy, Ellie Gomersall, and Iris Duane (Image: Instagram)In the north east, MSP Maggie Chapman is facing a bullying complaint amid allegations that she contacted the workplace of Green activist Guy Ingerson to brief his employers against him. In 2021, Ingerson was ranked second behind Chapman on the Greens' north east regional list. He is believed to be bidding for the top spot in 2026. Announcing her bid to oust Greer in the west, McKee said: 'Now more than ever it is important the Scottish Greens elect grassroots left-wing candidates. 'I want to see real work done to end the poverty we see so much of in West Scotland. To make childcare work for us. To make sure people have accessible, affordable, and useful public transport. 'With the vote of Scottish Green members, I could be a strong voice in Holyrood to hold other politicians accountable.'
Agriland
13-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘They'll suffer, we'll suffer' – Irish MEPs on tariff threat
As a July deadline for Trump's threatened 50% tariff on EU goods looms, intense talks continue to take place between the US and the bloc. Tariffs pose a 'big threat', and if they were to apply to agricultural products, the effect could be 'detrimental' for Ireland, MEP Sean Kelly said. 'If Donald Trump goes ahead with them and then we [EU] reciprocate, they'll suffer, we'll suffer – and it's not in anybody's interest to go down that line.' Tariff talks Kelly's comments to Agriland come as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris confirmed he took part in discussions this week with US trade representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer. This follows on from the Tánaiste's meetings in Washington in April, when he met with the US Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick. The Tánaiste and Ambassador Greer discussed recent trade developments, including an exchange of views on the ongoing negotiations between the US and EU. Speaking after the virtual meeting, the Tánaiste said he outlined the 'hugely successful two-way economic relationship between the US and Ireland', and that tariffs 'threaten this relationship and are bad for business, bad for consumers and bad for workers on both sides of the Atlantic'. During the meeting the Tánaiste reiterated that negotiations remain the main focus for both the EU and Ireland and welcomed the 'recent positive momentum', including Ambassador Greer's recent meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. The Tánaiste added: 'I assured Ambassador Greer of Ireland's commitment to supporting a mutually beneficial agreement that works for the US and the EU and noted his recent positive meeting with Commissioner Šefčovič in Paris. 'The ambassador and I agreed to remain in contact as we seek to bring this trade dispute to an end.' Uncertainty According to Sean Kelly, the EU has to 'box clever' when dealing with the US, acknowledging the strong relationship Ireland has had with the US. 'I'm pleased that the EU are taking their time because the worst thing you could do at this stage is to rush into retaliatory measures that might be as harmful to us, and maybe with time, Donald Trump might back down and change his mind,' as negotiations continue, according to Kelly. MEP Billy Kelleher told Agriland that there is 'grave uncertainty' at the moment around international trade, with the impact of Trump's proposed tariffs coupled with the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. He said Ireland must 'hold firm in terms of addressing some of the issues' of Mercosur, Kelleher said, including the need for 'mirror imaging of regulations and farming practices to ensure that any products that come in comply with the standards we expect our farmers to produce food by'. The MEP warned: 'The other area I have concern about in Mercosur is deforestation. 'I am still convinced if we don't put measures in place to ensure there isn't further destruction of the Amazon rainforest, that could incentivise further destruction, and importation of cheap food, and that in itself doesn't serve the conditions of climate change and the impact that would have on global warning.'
